"Alice, it's better if you just sit. If there's a royal throne, you should just stay there quietly. It'll make us uncomfortable if you join in such hard work."Alice instantly pursed her lips. Ever since Ashton announced their marital status, all the staff had been treating Alice with such special attention. Some were hesitant, some were afraid, and some intentionally kept their distance to avoid making mistakes that could get them in trouble with Ashton.There were also those who tried to get on Alice's good side. They acted friendly, but it felt exaggerated. They served her, but there was an underlying motive. They did all this hoping that their positions would be secure in the future and that everything would be easier for them.Normally, being treated specially should make us happy, especially when we're served and treated with extra care. But not for Alice. She felt uneasy instead. She was annoyed because she couldn't freely do anything anymore. Everything she tried to do was imm
Alice didn't know whether Ashton's sweet and kind demeanor was genuine or just a facade put on in front of others to be seen as an ideal husband. Or perhaps it was truly sincere, as he had become aware of and repented for his previously selfish behavior. However, from the start, Alice was reluctant to have high expectations. Moreover, she made sure once again that she didn't have any feelings about it. In principle, if Ashton behaved well, Alice would reciprocate many times over. But if he acted annoyingly and selfishly again, don't blame her if she responded in kind.Again, in the marriage she was in, Alice tried to sincerely fulfill her duties and responsibilities as a wife. If Ashton neglected her rights along the way, Alice didn't want to bother. She entrusted everything to God."Alice, please have a seat," said Rumi upon arrival at the restaurant. He immediately invited Alice to sit down and even gallantly pulled out her chair, which made Ashton annoyed."Alice..." Rumi called ag
As planned, during the campfire event that evening, Ashton gave a speech, thanked everyone, and handed out the prizes for the contests held by the office that week.Ashton also celebrated the office's anniversary by blowing out candles and cutting a cake, just like a regular birthday party.Interestingly, before the birthday celebration ended and the entertainment began, Ashton prepared a surprise. With the help of some staff, he brought out another cake and placed it on the table."Friends…" Ashton called for the attention of the staff gathered in the field. "Before I close the event, I want to share some happiness tonight. Since the office anniversary coincides with my wife Alice's birthday, I want to celebrate it with all of you."Immediately, the staff cheered and clapped. Some shouted for Alice to come forward to join Ashton.Alice, initially surprised, shyly stood up and walked towards Ashton, who was lighting the candles for her to blow out."Mr. Ashton, you're so sweet. I'm je
Anggia had just opened her eyes. Blinking a few times, the irritation from the unpleasant events at yesterday's office event immediately surged back and lingered in her heart.Turning towards the nightstand, Anggia reached for her phone. When she checked, a message notification made her jump.Quickly, Anggia sat up straight. Moving her slender fingers, she swiped the text message icon on the phone screen to carefully read what her colleague had sent her.Edric: Anggia, I’ve got the information you need. Let’s have breakfast together before you go to work. I have something to show you. I’ll tell you the location once we get there.A wide smile spread across Anggia’s pretty face. Impatiently, she climbed out of bed. Humming happily, Anggia hurriedly cleaned herself up, got ready, and put on some makeup. She then rushed to a café before heading to the office to meet the person she had paid handsomely to investigate something."Anggia!"As soon as she arrived and entered one of the well-k
Alice looked nervous. This was her second time traveling abroad. In the early days of college, she had participated in a student exchange program and was fortunate to have the opportunity to study design in Singapore.Somehow, Ashton had managed all the paperwork for today's departure. Earlier at his parents' house, Ashton had promised his parents to take Alice on a honeymoon as soon as possible. But Alice hadn't expected it to be this soon. And Japan was the destination he chose for their trip.Ashton claimed it was a birthday present for Alice while also keeping his promise to Umi Hana. The problem was that Alice hadn't prepared anything for their trip. However, Ashton assured her that all the items she needed had been packed by Bu Tina and put into the suitcase that Ashton had placed in his car."Why do you look so tense?" Ashton sounded concerned. He carefully observed how Alice's face had remained tense and serious since they left and even now, during the flight.Perhaps Alice wa
Anggia had just stepped out of Ashton’s office. As far as she remembered, she hadn’t seen him at the office since yesterday. If Ashton was on a business trip, Anggia should have known. But there had been no news or notification at all.Even though they had a conflict yesterday, she tried to remain professional. Besides, there were work issues that Anggia needed to report to Ashton. However, she was having some trouble. When she tried to contact Ashton, he didn’t answer her calls even once.“Where exactly is Ashton?” Anggia muttered outside his office.She was reluctant to ask Ashton’s secretary, who was stationed in front of the office. Usually, when she wanted to meet Ashton, she would just go straight into his office. But with no other choice, Anggia approached the secretary.“Is Ashton out of the office on a business trip or something?” Anggia asked directly, without any greeting or pleasantries.The secretary immediately looked up, stood up, and nodded politely.“Mr. Ashton has be
Alice woke up. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Ashton still sleeping right next to her.Last night, as Alice remembered, she was sitting and waiting. Not long after, she noticed Ashton receiving a phone call from someone unknown. While waiting for Ashton to finish his conversation, Alice pondered deeply about what she would do next."Seriously, tonight I have to make love with you?"Alice swallowed hard. The nervousness that had subsided now returned. The anxiety and doubts that had briefly crossed her mind began to haunt her again. Especially when she remembered the short message Rumi sent earlier in the day.**Rumi:** "Alice, enjoy your honeymoon. I’ve asked Tina to put a special dress in your suitcase. And remember, you have to wear it in front of Ashton to make him happy."**Alice:** "What kind of dress did you put in?"**Rumi:** "You’ll see. I chose a color Ashton likes. Don’t forget to start everything with a prayer. If you can’t handle it, just wave to the camera. But if you e
Showering is done. Picking and sorting clothes for a day out is also done. After that, Ashton and Alice decided to have breakfast together on the first floor of the hotel with the other guests.They enjoyed breakfast together for about an hour. Exactly at ten o'clock, after the driver Ashton arranged arrived, the two decided to leave immediately.Because she was completely unfamiliar with Japan, Alice fully entrusted their itinerary and travel plans to Ashton. She didn't care where her husband took her. As long as Alice could be a compliant child ready to be taken anywhere."We've arrived," Ashton said, his words snapping Alice out of her reverie as she had been engrossed in looking at the scenery from the car window."Universal Studios?" Alice asked to confirm. She didn't expect that Ashton would bring her all the way to Japan to visit a place she had already been to in Singapore.She had thought Ashton would take her to popular tourist attractions she had often seen in news articles